A lot of things make Brian Dawkins one of the NFL's top safeties

Rookie quarterback Tim Tebow had an up-and-down practice. Trying to dodge pressure, Tebow lost the ball in traffic and linebacker Mario Haggan  snagged it as it bounced off his arm, returning the fumble for a TD. Later in team drills, Tebow brought the training camp crowd to its feet by using his legs. He avoided the pass rush and scrambled up the middle, breaking into the clear and leaving gasping defenders in his wake en route to a long touchdown run. Meanwhile, Tebow finished second in the first post-practice sprint to linebacker Jammie Kirlew. But Tebow, who has been regularly leading the pack, didn't let Kirlew get the jump on him again, leading the way for the rest of the team's sprints.

A lot of things make Brian Dawkins  one of the NFL's top safeties: his physical skills, football savvy, years of experience and the ability to give - and take - punishing hits. I saw another one of those qualities on display Tuesday at the first of the Broncos' two training camp practices, a willingness to own up to his mistakes and the willingness to learn from them. After Brian Dawkins dropped a sure interception of Kyle Orton  during team drills, he dropped to the ground and reeled off about 10 push-ups, punishing himself for his miscue. I thought to myself, here's a player that cares about the way he plays the game and how well he plays the game. Afterward, I asked him if he still gets mad at himself over mistakes like that. Here's what he said: "Absolutely! That was a touchdown, a possession-changer. I pick the ball and take it to the house, we're up seven points. I dropped it. I need to make sure I make those plays."

Star cornerback Champ Bailey gave the Broncos' top draft pick, wide receiver Demaryius Thomas, a reminder that he's not in college any more. Thomas seemingly had a catch made at the end of a hitch pattern. But before Thomas could tuck the ball away, Bailey reached in with his hands and knocked the ball out of Thomas' grasp. Said the veteran to the newcomer: Take that, 'rook.

Josina Anderson of Fox31 is reporting that free agent RB Ladell Betts is traveling to Denver and will work out for the Broncos on Wednesday.  Anderson also said that Betts is planning to visit the Saints on Thursday.

Betts spent his first 8 seasons with the Washington Redskins, where he rushed for 3,176 yards, averaging 4.1 yards per carry.  Betts' best season came in 2006 when he rushed for 1,154 yards and 4 touchdowns.

Betts only played in 11 games for the Redskins in 2009, having his best game - 26 carries, 114 yards and a touchdown - against the Broncos in Week 10.

While Tebowmaniacs line the Denver Broncos' practice fields hoping to catch a glimpse of quarterback Tim Tebow's transformation, they're missing the metamorphosis of another former Florida Gator right before their eyes.

A year ago, pass-rusher Jarvis Moss walked out of training camp so bedeviled by personal problems that he wondered whether he should walk away from football altogether.

He returned three days later but had another forgettable season, recording no sacks, no tackles and one pass break-up while playing in just seven games.

Moss said he needed the respite last summer to clear his head Brian Dawkins and help him rediscover his passion.

"There was a lot of stuff on my plate last year. A lot of stuff that wasn't just football. A lot of stuff built up on me," he said. "I had to sit down, take a deep look at myself and realize this is what I am — I'm a football player. This is what I love to do. ... It's serious now."

Now, Moss looks nothing like that undersized, overwhelmed player who nearly walked away from football forever. He's added muscle and appears both stronger and more focused at practice. So winded was he after one workout this week that he did interviews with his hands on his knees, sweat streaming off his face.

"No, I don't need to vomit," he said, straightening up.

His teammates and his coaches are raving about this new Jarvis Moss.

"He's looking good," NFL sacks king Elvis Dumervil said Tuesday. "He's working. He's making fewer mistakes and his energy level is high. He seems more focused."

Moss said he's finally figured things out in his fourth season and worked relentlessly over the spring and summer to put it all on display.